The Notorious Countess. Liz Tyner

compliment. Women did not comment on a man’s legs, but he was quite willing to let her continue.

      ‘And shoulders.’ Her hand still held his, but the free one patted along the top of his coat. ‘Hard to believe.’

      He concealed his smile. ‘Thank you.’

      ‘A reward. For me.’ She chuckled and released his fingers. She clasped her hands at her chest, almost bubbling her words out. ‘I am so very grateful. I did not expect a man anything like you.’

      ‘You’ll get the earrings,’ he said. ‘But they will be from me. Not my cousin Foxworthy. And simply a gift of friendship. Nothing else.’

      She tiptoed up and spoke, her lips almost against his ear, and the wine scent of her breath touched his nose. ‘I will treasure the gift. A memento of a wonderful meeting. Between friends.’ Her hands patted down his arms, then moved to his chest and gave little brushes. ‘Lord Andrew, I would have found time to get away from my painting had I realised men like you were about.’

      She leaned closer. She smelled of—not some jarring scent which spoke of illicit pleasures, but wholesomeness. Of home and hearth.

      She wobbled a bit and he steadied her, both hands on her waist. She must have had a considerable amount of wine.

      ‘I should leave,’ he said, still holding her. The garment bunched under his touch. She felt like a wraith under her clothing. The dress did not fit her at all.

      ‘Yes, you should. But not just now.’ She melted against him with a satisfied, ‘Ah...’ that he could feel from his chest to his heels. ‘Let me enjoy this moment. It has been a very long time since—’ she had her arms around his waist ‘—never.’

      ‘Never?’

      ‘Well, never like you. You’re all sturdy. And you smell a bit like a tree. I’ve never been near a man who smells like a forest.’

      Rivers of warmth flowed in his body and he moved carefully, trying to keep her clothing from gathering under his hands and letting the shape of the woman underneath wisp into his mind. She had a nicely rounded derrière. Perfect, in fact.

      But that didn’t matter. He needed to leave. Now.

      He stepped back as he moved to extricate her hands, but she stumbled. He steadied her.

      ‘Did you drink an awful lot?’ he asked.

      ‘No,’ she said. ‘I was rather enjoying being close to you and wanted to continue. If you would just stand there a moment longer. Small price to pay. Much less expensive than earrings and, from my perspective, better than any jewellery.’

      The door seemed to be getting further away.

      With the delicacy of handling an eggshell, but the firmness of his strength, he took her arms and held her erect while he moved back. ‘I must be going. I have a cousin to throttle.’

      She gasped. Her smile evaporated. ‘Well, that was a slap across my face.’

      He didn’t move. ‘I would never—’

      She interlaced her fingers. ‘I would have preferred you to have said something along the lines of, I must go now. I wish to thank Foxworthy for the chance to meet you.’ She slid her hands apart and her fingers splayed, before she waved him away. ‘Never mind.’

      ‘Miss Tilly, I did not mean any offence.’

      She took in a breath so big he was surprised any air remained for him to breathe.

      ‘Ohhhh. Never mind. Truly. Never mind.’ Her hands flared out at the sides of her body. ‘What you said reminded me of quite a few very unpleasant things.’

      He took her hands, not saying a word until her fingers relaxed. ‘I would not wish to remind you of anything bad. And I am not the least upset at Fox for engineering the chance to meet you. I am only displeased that he tricked me.’

      ‘I would not really rate that as high on the betrayal scale as some things a cousin could do. And I suspect my cousin has been quite the little vindictive wench in my life. She always has been so sweet to my face. So kind, and yet, now that I look back, I suspect on those moments she was kindest, she was really most cruel.’ She bit her lip for a second. ‘I just realised that I have been befriended for years by someone who possibly delighted in every bit of misfortune I have had.’

      She turned, folding her arms across her chest, and looking to the wall. ‘Perhaps you should go now. I have a cousin to throttle.’

      She shivered. He didn’t know why, but the movement reminded him of a little bird who’d fallen from the nest. He couldn’t very well leave and not put her back on firm footing.

      Placing his hands on her shoulders, he rubbed softly, soothing the tremors. He leaned down, lips close to her ear. Voice soothing, he said, ‘Simple fix, really. I’ll introduce your cousin to mine. It will all work out. They’ll take care of themselves for us.’

      ‘Oh,’ she said, leaning back against him, moving so her face was only inches from his. ‘I suspect they have already met...’

      ‘Then we must make certain they see more of each other.’

      ‘You’re perfect. Handsome and vengeful all in one.’

      He wrapped her in his arms. He had no choice. ‘Not normally. Handsome, that is.’

      ‘Modest, too.’

      ‘Extremely.’ They stood so close, comfortable, as if they’d been friends for years. She caused the most satisfying warmth in his body. ‘But I really must go. And I am pleased Fox provided me this opportunity.’

      The door didn’t get closer. Wasn’t really his fault. And this was an innocent encounter. The mob cap reminded him to take care. A woman in a cap did not incite any desires in his body—much. He brushed his face against the cloth and his hands clasped at her waist. The fabric of her gown bunched under his fingers. He smoothed it gently.

      ‘Are you by chance in search of a mistress?’ she asked. ‘I would like to apply for the post. Temporarily only.’

      ‘No. I want no entanglements.’

      She squeaked.

      She pulled away, her warmth leaving his body, but she turned and, even in their closeness, threw herself against him, holding him with all her might. ‘No entanglements. Vengeful, and legs to spare. This is too perfect. I am dreaming.’ She relaxed away from him, put her hand up, feeling his jawline, running her hand up until her fingers nestled in his hair. She chuckled. ‘You can be in my dreams any time.’

      ‘I would be honoured. But...’ he placed a kiss on her nose, surprising them both ‘...I must arise early in the morning.’

      ‘I completely understand.’ Her breath touched his lips.

      ‘Goodbye.’ At the end of the word, their lips met. Nothing mattered but holding her. Their kiss ended, but only barely.

      ‘It was nice to meet you,’ she whispered against his skin.

      Andrew let his fingers drop over the hooks at the back of her gown, amazed at how easily the clasps slipped open. ‘Likewise.’

      She pressed against him, causing his desire to rampage. The pulses of heat in his body could have melted carriage wheels.

      One of her slender fingers traced down, stopping at the knot of his cravat. ‘I do not understand how you men wear such things. They look so stifling.’

      ‘I hadn’t noticed it before. But you’re right. It’s decidedly warm.’

      ‘And it will be much—cooler in here if you remove it.’

      Reason entered his thoughts. He could not risk the morass of passion.

      But then azure eyes flickered at him and lips parted, and he was looking down into a perfect face. He cupped his hands to her cheeks